Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SAHP Officers

President, Lorrie Muldowney

I am from Westchester County New York, and have lived in Sarasota County for the past 47 years.

My background is in Historic Preservation, Architecture and Urban Planning. I have always felt a connection with historic buildings and places and have had a life-long mission to understand their stories and work towards their preservation.

In addition to historic preservation, I enjoy birdwatching, hiking, running and travel. I have come to love the beautiful richness of the Gulf Coast of Florida during my years living here.

Vice President/Treasurer, Michael Ayers

I was born in Trenton, New Jersey during the middle of the last century and moved to Sarasota when I was very young. Although not native-born, I tell people that “I’ve been here for so long, it seems like a lie to say that I’m from anywhere else”.

I have a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida College of Education in Instructional Technology and currently serve as an adjunct professor at USF Sarasota-Manatee teaching new teachers how to use technology in the modern classroom. In my real job, I am the Assistant Director of Development at USF, raising private funds for academic programs, scholarships and capital projects.

Although I have served as a volunteer for numerous boards and committees, near and far, this is my first connection with historic preservation and I couldn’t be happier and more committed to the mission of Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation.

Recording Secretary, Larry A. Kelleher

I am native to Sarasota, Florida, and fondly refer to myself as a “Sota-Cracker.” After graduating University of Florida, I moved out of state and made my home at first in New Orleans, then later in Houston, Texas. After having enough of not living next the Gulf of Mexico, I returned in 1980 to see Sarasota destroying most of the historic landmarks that I had taken for granted.

I worked in health-care for 25+ years, and as a Food Service Director, had a great deal of experience with the elderly. All too many of them passed away without their story or legacy being told, which prompted me to start a website (www.sarasotahistoryalive.com), devoted to telling Sarasota’s interesting and colorful history.

This segued into a popular weekly newsletter, which includes historic buildings, historical markers, stories, photos, vintage postcards, videos - and much more to encourage tourism and education about our remaining assets.

Corresponding Secretary, Ruthmary Williams

I am originally from Auburn, Alabama and have lived in Sarasota County for the past 26 years.

I have a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida in US History post 1865; most of my research focused on women’s history and Florida history. I taught US History I and US History II for nine years as an adjunct professor for State College of Florida. I served eight years on the Sarasota County Historical Commission and was chair of the marker committee for six years. I’ve been on the board of the Friends of the Sarasota County History Center for five years, serving as secretary and now treasurer. I’m a past member of the Sarasota County Historical Society and the Venice Area Historical Society.

I believe to understand our history, it’s important to preserve our history and that includes primary documents, artifacts, homes, noteworthy buildings – items and structures that are important to our history and culture.

In addition to historic preservation, my hobbies include travel, photography and enjoying nature.

SAHP Directors

Dave Baber

I have over 37 years of experience in activities associated with the protection and preservation of historic resources in Virginia, Connecticut, and Florida. My degrees are in architectural engineering and historic preservation from Roger Williams University.

My involvement in the historic preservation field has included development and management of local historic preservation programs, conducting or supervising the preparation of historic sites surveys, preparing historic designation applications for the National Register of Historic Places and local historic designation programs, and providing oversight and supervision of projects to restore or rehabilitate historic buildings.

Amy Barnes

Ex-pat Amy Barnes has lived and worked in Florence, Italy, operating principally in the sectors of travel and documentary film-making for the last 30 years. She has served as production/location manager for projects sponsored by the BBC, the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, the History Channel, National Geographic, PBS, and Biography. In the travel sector, she has specialized in luxury hiking tours, and has acquired over twenty years' experience in designing and managing itineraries in Italy for Wilderness Travel of Berkeley. Additionally she has created Italian theme tours regarding garden history, photography, wine, cooking, and family/friend reunions. She is presently based in Sarasota, Fl.

Erin DiFazioOriginally from upstate New York, Erin spent her childhood house hunting and read House Beautiful alongside Nancy Drew. A career that began with writing and editing for a publisher of an architectural trade magazine, eventually led to helping run a contracting company that specialized in historic restoration and custom design in CT. That labor of love grew and she began purchasing and restoring homes for customers and as personal investments. Erin moved her family to Sarasota in April of 2015, having fallen in love with its tropical mid-century charm. Now a licensed Realtor, she has dedicated herself to helping homeowners preserve the historic build environment unique to the Gulf Coast.

Richard Hershner

Martha Horton

I was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Our family moved to North Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. My dad worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. We came because of the NASA space program in Florida. I have been in the Sarasota area since 1973. I am a retired, registered landscape architect. I was in private practice in Sarasota from 1980-1992. From 1992-2008 I worked for Sarasota County as a landscape plan reviewer and urban planner. I graduated from the University of Florida. Go Gators!

My mother was a history major in college. Connecticut has lots of historic structures, so I grew up knowing the value of the built environment. I’ve always loved good architecture and preserving our natural resources.

Florida was a surprise to us kids, with flat roofs and colorfully painted homes. Almost every building was new.

I did not get involve in preservation until I was in Sarasota and realized we were losing our architectural heritage in development frenzies. We need to save not only buildings, but their landscape context.

My hobbies include gardening, reading, travel and architecture.

Linda Stevenson

Linda D. Stevenson, Phd, RA, LEED - AP is the founding principal of Stevenson Architects, Inc. (1991) and a Florida registered architect with extensive experience in the field of historic preservation, and sustainable design. Recognizing the important role for historic buildings within the sustainability movement, she is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is an adjunct faculty member of the Historic Preservation program at the University of Florida, where she also serves as Co-director for the Preservation Institute Nantucket, the longest continuously operating field school for historic preservation in the United States.

Joyce DeGrazia Waterbury

Historic preservation has always been my passion, and while living in Dearborn, Michigan (my home town), I was a member of several preservation groups, which held events to save or upgrade many of the structures in Greenfield Village, now known as the Edison Institute.

I earned a BS from the University of South Florida, with a major in math and business.

I worked, as an Operations Manager, for Ford Motor Credit Co. until my retirement in 1983. At that time, my husband and I moved to Lido Key, and I live there still.

My first venture into historic preservation in Sarasota was as a board member trying to save the John Ringling Towers. As I am sure you are all aware, that was a losing battle, but from that moment forward I was determined to help save what was left of Sarasota’s heritage.

I have previously served on the Alliance board, and have been a member of the Friends of the Sarasota County History Center board. I am very active in my church, and am a member of Board of Directors of the Lido Key Residents Association.

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MEMBERSHIP

Benefits of membership include participation in historic homes tours, walking tours, rehabilitation projects, workshops, seminars and much more. Please join us by completing this form and sending it to the address above in the Contact Us section.